In 1988 while on a rainy day trek in the Rohrmoos Tal, near Schladming, Austria, founder and roastmaster, Christian Waskiewicz was inspired with the vision to create Alpen Sierra Coffee Company in Lake Tahoe. Having spent much of his life in the Alps of Europe and the Sierra Nevada of California, Christian’s love of good living has become the foundation of Alpen Sierra’s goal of providing a quality experience, which is embodied in every bean roasted and cup brewed.

Serving its first cup of coffee in an historical log cabin on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe in 1991, Alpen Sierra has grown to become recognized as the premier roaster of specialty coffees in the Sierra Nevada. Locals and visitors from around the world now enjoy Mountain Roasted Lake Tahoe coffees at home, in our award-winning coffeehouse and at 120 + specialty food establishments throughout the region.

As Alpen Sierra has grown and experienced all facets of the specialty coffee industry, most notably the environments in which the coffee farming families live at origin, it became apparent that to be passionately and actively involved in the future of the industry, they would have to put their money where their hearts are. Alpen Sierra embraced the concept and practices of sustainability as they entered the new millenium. In the year 2002 Alpen Sierra was one of the first specialty micro-roasters in Northern california to become certified organic within the USDA's newly launched National Organic Program.

As the alpine economy climate of Lake Tahoe realized severe changes in 2007 Alpen Sierra decided it was time for a change. Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company relocated to a new and larger roasting facility in the Carson Valley of Northern Nevada.

Full company vehicle fuel conversion from gas and conventional diesel to biofuels is targeted for completion end of 2008.